National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, Felton Bequest in 1970

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Lucas began to make this plate some time before 22 September 1830, when Constable said he was longing to see a proof of it (Beckett IV, p. 331). He based it on the painting West End Fields, Hampstead, noon c.1821–22 , and made at least four progress proof variations before the published state, of which this is the last. During the proofing the number of birds was increased and the sky was developed, three sheep were removed from the foreground and the tree was enhanced.

Heysen wrote that he considered it ‘a beaut & lovely proof – … “Noon”. This is particularly fine’ (Heysen, 1948, NLA MS 5073/1/7185).